Mary Ware's Promised Land

The Little Colonel #13

by Annie Fellows Johnston, John Goss (Illustrator)

Here we come to the very last of the series of Little Colonel Books. Sort of. This is actually two books in one. Part 1, in 8 chapters, continues where we left off in Texas on the way home to the little mining camp of Lone-Rock in Arizona. Mary plans to stay there only as long as it takes to find a position elsewhere, then finds that there may be just as many reasons to stay. Part 2 gives us Betty's wedding in Lloydsboro Valley, and finally a life's mission for Mary A mission that is for Mary as the King's call of Edryn. However to "keep the tryst" will force her to make a painful decision between her new-found work and the fulfillment of her life's dreams. This part of the book is in reality a tribute to, collusion with, and now a history as well of Annie Fellow's Johnston's own sister, Albion Fellows Bacon, and her work. Some will recognize "Riverville" as Evansville, Indiana. Albion Fellows work as a reformer, as well as her situation in life, can be found in the character of Mrs. Dudley Blythe. In this book, Annie Fellows Johnston makes her strongest political statements of the series. And here, in Mary Ware, she gives us a heroine whose call goes far beyond that of the Little Colonel, who's only ambition in life had been to make a Road of the Loving Heart (without breaking any fingernails). For in Mary we find a heroine that hoped to be a "blessing to her generation and a torch that helped to light the way for all who came after her."
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Genres: Fiction, Classics, Childrens

340 pages, Hardback

First published January 1, 1912

About the author

Annie Fellows Johnston (1863-1931) was an American author of children's fiction who wrote the popular "Little Colonel" series, which was the basis for the 1935 Shirley Temple film The Little Colonel. She was born and grew up in McCutchanville, Indiana, a small unincorporated town near Evansville, Indiana.

Reviews

[Richie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. Will have to go back and read the ones in the middle, didn't realize this was the last one when I picked it up!

[John Payton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is well-enough written, but seems awfully naive in light of today's political scene.

I narrated a couple of chapters for Librivox.
https://librivox.org/mary-wares-promi...

On YouTube: https://youtu.be/I2USQ1DCpbs?si=ehDTr...

[Magda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat trite but happy ending, with a startling future for "little Mary Ware." I don't believe I read this before, because I was surprised that Jack married Betty, and that the "little mother" died. There was even foreshadowing that I didn't pick up on, when Mary and her mother talk about death, and how it is just a "far country." It was a beautiful conversation.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like suffragettes, you'll probably enjoy this little tale. This one's meant for older girls.